THE CHARTER -OF THE- H rOMPILED 3Y THE -^CITY -ATTORNEYS AND MnTBC V 1 HE CQ MM5TTEE ON ACCOUNTS AND PRINTING By Authority of a Joint Resolution of the City Council, Approved October 14, 1898. RICHMOND : O, E. FLANHART PRINTING COMPANY, 189S. • .1 > vv- THE CHARTER -OF THE- H COMPILED BY THE -^CITY ATTORNEY*-- AND PRINTED BY THE COMMITTEE ON ACCOUNTS AND PRINTING By Authority of a Joint Resolution of the City Council, Approved October 14, 1898. RICHMOND : O. E. FLANHART PRINTING COMPANY. 1898. Committee on Accounts and Printing. JOHN T. WEST, Chairman, .IAS. BAHEN, SOL. L. BLOOMBERG, A. B. FERGTTSSON, J. H. LAAVDER. Committee on Ordinances. SOL. L. BLOOMBERG, Chairman, G. K. POLLOCK, CHAS. R. WINSTON, SOL. CTJTCHINS, CLAY DREWRY. **" THE CHARTER OF THE o~. As soon as said commissioner of the revenue shall have ascertained the value of all real and personal property taxable in said city, he shall make complete schedules of the same, and leave them in his office open to the inspection and examination ol all persons interested therein; and he shall give notice by- six day's publication in two of the daily newspapers of said city of the time and place, when and where such inspection and examination may he made. Said schedules shall be kept open for the period of ten days from the time of the first pub- lit ation of such notice, so that any person feeling aggrieved by the assessment of his or her property may appear and make his or her objection. The said commissioner of the revenue shall hear and consider all objections which may be made, and shall have the power to alter, add to, take from, and otherwise correct and revise his assessment; and he shall have power to examine any person on oath as to the value of his personal property, and also to examine under oath such other persons as witnesses in relation thereto as he may deem proper, and for that purpose may administer oaths and issue process to compel the attendance of witnesses before him. Any person feeling aggrieved at the decision of the said commissioner of the revenue may appeal to the city council, whose decision shall be final. Any person who shall refuse to make under oath a full disclosure of all the facts necessary to enable said com- missioner of the revenue to make a fair and just assessment of his personal taxable property, when duly called upon by said commissioner of the revenue so to do, or to answer such questions as may be put to him in relation thereto, shall be assessed a gross sum, in the judgment of the commissioner of the revenue, double the correct assessment of his personal tax- able property. 58. The said commissioner of the revenue may, with the con- sent of the city council, appoint an assistant or assistants, who may be removed from office by the said commissioner, by the mayor, or by the city council. During the continuance in office of the said commissioner, an assistant of his may discharge any of the duties of the office of commissioner; but the com- misioner and his sureties shall be liable therefor. 59. The city council shall appoint a suitable and proper per- son, who shall be the attorney and counsel for the corporation, who shall hold his office for the term of two years, unless sooner removed, and until his successor shall be appointed and qualify. He shall receive such compensation as the council may deter- mine, to be paid by the city. Said attorney shall have the management, charge, and control of all the law business of the corporation and the departments thereof, and of all the law business in which the city shall be interested; shall draw all leases, deeds, and legal papers for the same, and be the legal adviser of the mayor, city council, or any com- mittee thereof, and of the several departments of said cor- 23 poration; and when required, shall furnish written opinions upon any subjects involving questions of law submitted to him by them. He shall appear as counsel for the said corporation in any civil case in which it is interested, depending in any court in the city of Richmond; and when the constitutionality or validity of any ordinance is brought in issue in any penal prosecution, or when the mayor shall direct a prosecution for nuisance, he shall appear for the prosecution when the case shall come into court. He shall perform such other duties as are or may be required of him for the city by any ordinance or resolution of the city council. 60. He shall have power and authority, from time to time, during his continuance in office, with the consent of the mayor, to authorize an attorney or other person to appear for him in his name and on behalf of said corporation, and conduct and defend suits and proceedings in all courts and places. 61. Said attorney for the corporation shall keep his office in such place as the city council may direct, and shall keep therein a docket of all the cases to which the city may be a party in any court of record, in which shall be briefly entered all steps taken in such causes; and said docket shall at all times be open to the inspection of the mayor, the members of the city council, and the city auditor. 1869-70. 62. There shall be appointed by the city council one engineer p. 454. for the city, who shall hold his office for the period of two years, and until his successor shall be appointed and qualify, unless sooner removed from office. He shall give bond, with sureties, to the amount of not less than five thousand dollars, said bond to be approved by the city council and filed in the office of the city clerk. 63. The said engineer shall have such assistants and clerks as the city council may allow and approve; but such assistants or clerks may be removed at any time by the mayor or by the city council. 64. The said engineer shall be the general superintendent of the streets, culverts, public buildings, and all public improve- ments. He shall make such surveys, reports, drawings, plans, specifications, and estimates as the city council may require of him, and do, in relation thereto, whatever else it may direct. All surveys or other acts, which shall be made or done by said engineer, shall be as valid and effectual as if the same were done by a surveyor of a county. He shall keep his office in such place as the city council may direct, and shall keep therein all maps, drawings, and papers pertaining to his office. He shall keep a record of all his proceedings, and a set of books, in which shall be entered, under appropriate heads, the receipts and expenditures of his department; and all the books and papers of his office shall be open at all times to the inspection of the mayor, to the members of the city council, or to any com- mittee or committees thereof. L874. p. 231. \>\ There shall be one city dork appointed by the city coun- cil, who shall hold his office for the period of two years, and until his successor shall be appointed and qualified, unless sooner removed from office by the city council. 66. The said city clerk shall attend the meetings of the com- mon council, and keep a record of its proceedings. He shall keep all papers that by the provisions of this act, or by the di root ion of the city council, or either of its branches, are re- quired to be kept or filed with him. It shall also be his duty to make and present to the mayor a transcript of every ordi- nance, resolution or order passed by both of the branches of the city council. He shall likewise transmit to the auditor a transcript of all ordinances, resolutions or orders appropriating money, or authorizing the payment of money, the issue of bonds or notes; and to the heads of all departments of the city government all ordinances, resolutions or orders relating to their departments. He shall likewise give information to par- ties presenting communications or petitions to the city council of the final action of the council on such communications or petitions. He shall publish such reports and ordinances as the city council are required by this act to publish, and such other reports and ordinances as the said council may direct, and shall, in general, perform such other acts and duties as the city coun- cil, or either branch thereof, may from time to time require of him. 1887-8. 66. a. As soon as practicable after the organization of the p. 305. new council, on the first day of July, eighteen hundred and eighty-eight, and as soon as practicable after the organization of each council elected for the city of Richmond every two years thereafter, the president of the board of aldermen shall appoint two members, and the president of the common coun- cil three members, from their respective bodies, wno, together with five citizens (of whom two shall be appointed by the board of aldermen and three by the common council), and the presi- dent of the common council (who shall be chairman ex-officio), shall constitute a board, to be called the board of public inter- ests of the city of Richmond. 66 h. It shall be the duty of said board to take into considera- _ one' tion all works of internal improvements in existence, or which may be projected from time to time; to look after the com- mercial, industrial, and manufacturing interests of the city; to watch over and take care of its connections, means of trans- portation and communication with the rest of the country, and to make such reports and recommendations to the city council as will in their opinion best subserve the different interests of the city of Richmond. 1887-8. 66 c. There shall be a meeting of this board at least once a p. 305. month, and as much oftener as it shall deem proper. 66 d. In case of any vacancy in the board from any cause, it shall be filled by the board from the class in which the vacancy occurred. 1887-8 p. 305. 25 66 e. The board of public interests of said city, as existing 1887-8. by city ordinance January first, eighteen hundred and eighty- P- 30o. eight, shall be and remain as then organized until their suc- cessors are elected and qualified as provided by this act. CHAPTER V. FINANCES. 1 079 Q 67. The city council may, in the name and for the use of the 265 city, contract loans or cause to be issued certificates of debt or bonds; but such loans, certificates or bonds shall not be irre- 1874. deemable for a period greater than thirty-four years; provided, P- - 1 " however, that they shall not contract such loans or issue 1874-5. such certificates of debt or bonds for the purpose of sub- P- 368. scribing to the stock or appropriating money or loans 1878-0. for the benefit of any company incorporated for a work of p. 92. internal improvement, or other purposes, without first being authorized so to do by three-fourths of the legal voters of the city voting on the question; and, also, by a majority of the registered freeholders of the city; and the council shall, when such debt or loan is created, provide a sinking fund for the pay- ment of the same. Neither shall the city endorse the bonds of any such company, without the same authority; provided, how- ever, that the said council may issue, or cause to be issued, bonds for other purposes than that for railroad or internal im- provement companies, but the bonds or interest-bearing debt of the city of Richmond shall not, in the aggregate, exceed eighteen per centum of the assessed value of the taxable real estate of said city; and any excess of such bonded or interest- bearing debt over and above the limit herein prescribed, which may be created or issued in violation of this provision, shall be void as to said city; and provided, further, that the coun- cil, if authorized by a majority of the registered freeholders of the city, voting on a day to be fixed by the council, may pur- chase the property and franchises of the James River and Ka- nawha Company, or any part thereof, and issue bonds, contract loans, or cause to be issued certificates of debt or bonds to an amount sufficient to raise the money to pay for the same; and the amount of debt which may be contracted for that purpose shall not be included in the said aggregate debt limited to eighteen per centum of the assessed value of the taxable real estate of the city. And in case such purchase shall be made of the entire property, rights, and franchises which would pass on the foreclosure of any mortgage on the same, the city of Richmond shall not only succeed to the franchises, rights, and privileges provided for by the forty-fourth and forty-fifth sec- tions of chapter sixty-one of the Code of eighteen hundred and seventy-three, and be regulated thereby, but shall, also, have the right to exercise all the franchises, rights, and privileges 26 which may have been granted at the date of such purchase to any internal Improvement company, with a view to the con- st nut inn of a railroad along the lines of the James River and Kanawha canal to Clifton Forge and Lexington; and, in any organization which may follow such purchase, the city shall be at liberty to retain as her own such part of said property, rights, and franchises as she may deem advisable. - 70. There shall be set apart annually, from the accruing p. 155. revenues of the city, a sum not less than one per centum of the city debt existing at the commencement of this act. The fund p. 544. thus set apart shall be called a sinking fund, and shall be ap- plied to the payment or purchase of the principal of the city debt. If no part be redeemable, then the residue of the sinking fund shall be invested in the bonds or certificates of debt of the city, and applied to the payment of the city debt as It shall be- come redeemable. Whenever hereafter there shall be contracted by the city any debt not payable within the next twelve months, there shall be set apart annually for thirty-four years, or until the debt is paid, a sum exceeding by one per centum the aggre- gate amount of the annual interest agreed to be paid thereon at the time of the contract, which sum shall be applied and in- vested towards the payment of such debt in the same manner as hereinbefore provided for the present existing debt of the city. The committee, board, or city officials, having charge of the sinking fund under the authority of the city council, may invest the funds of the sinking fund not only in bonds of the city but also in those issued by the State of Virginia or by the United States. Such committee, board or city officials shall make to the city council quarterly detailed statements of all the transactions of the board setting forth the amount and character of their assets, investments, transfers, issues, ex- changes or other business of whatever character, including a statement of what, if any, be due by the city. The purchases made of the city bonds may be made directly from the city. 69. For the execution of its powers and duties, the city coun- cil may raise, annually, by taxes and assessments in said city, such sums of money as they shall deem necessary to defray the expenses of the same, and in such manner as they shall deem expedient, in accordance with the laws of this State and the United States; provided, how r ever, that they shall impose no tax on the bonds of said city, nor on any capital invested in real estate or employed in manufacture outside the city limits, although the person or persons engaged in said business or manufacture have a place of business in said city. Neither shall they impose any tax at the same time upon the stock of the corporation, and upon the dividends thereon; nor upon any capital, interest, income, or dividends when a license or other tax is imposed upon the business in which the capital is em- ployed, or upon the principal money, credit, or stock from which the interest, income or dividend is derived. Said taxes 27 shall be equal and uniform upon all property, both real and personal. The capital invested in all business operations shall be assessed and taxed as other property. Assessments upon all stock shall be according to the market value thereof. 70. The city council may grant or refuse licenses, and may require taxes to be paid on such licenses, to agents of insurance companies whose principal office is not located in said city; to auctioneers; to public, theatrical, or other performances or shows; to keepers of billiard tables, ten-pin alleys, and pistol galleries; to hawkers and pedlers in the city, or persons to sell goods by sample therein; to agents for the sale or renting of real estate; to commission merchants, and all other business which cannot be reached by the ad valorem system under the preceding section. They may also grant or refuse such license to all sellers of wine or spirituous or fermented liquors, and re- quire taxes to be paid on such license, in addition to other taxes imposed. 71. The council may grant or refuse licenses to owners or keepers of wagons, drays, carts, hacks, and other wheeled car- riages kept or employed in the city for hire, and may require the owners or keepers of wagons, drays, and carts, using them in the city, to take out a license therefor, and may require taxes to be paid thereon, and subject the same to such regulations as they may deem proper, and prescribe their fees and compen- sation. 72. The council may vest in the collector of the city taxes, and of assessments for the use of water, gas, or other purposes, any or all of the powers which are now or may hereafter be vested in a sheriff as collector of the State taxes; may prescribe the mode of his proceeding, and the mode of proceeding against him for the failure to perform his duties. 73. All goods and chattels, wheresoever found, may be dis- trained and sold for taxes assessed and due thereon; and no deed of trust or mortgage upon goods or chattels shall prevent the same from being distrained and sold for taxes assessed against the grantor in such deed while such goods and chattels remain in the grantor's possession; nor shall any such deed prevent the goods and chattels conveyed from being distrained and sold for taxes assessed thereon, no matter in whose pos- session they may be found. 74. Any payment of taxes made by the tenant, unless under an express contract contained in his lease, shall be a credit against the person to whom he owes the rent, and where any tax is paid by a fiduciary on the interest of profit of moneys of an estate invested under an order of court or otherwise, the tax shall be refunded out of such estate. 75. There shall be a lien on real estate for the city taxes as 1875-6. assessed thereon from the commencement of the year for which P- 286. they are assessed. The city council may require real estate in 1877-8. the city delinquent for the non-payment of taxes, to be sold for p. 33. p. 244. 28 sa id taxes, with interesl thereon at the rate of six per centum per annum, and such percentage as they may prescribe for charges. Such real estate shall be sold, and may be redeemed under the provisions hereinafter made. 76. The collector of delinquent taxes shall, under the direction of the city council, cause a notice of the time and place of such salo to be published in all the daily newspapers published in said city, at least ten days previous to such sale; and he shall also cause to be published, in one or more of said daily papers, on some day, not more than twenty days nor less than ten days previous to such sale, a list of the several parcels of real estate so to be sold, in the same manner as the same is described in the assessment rolls in which the said tax or assessment is im- posed thereon, together with the name of the person to whom each parcel is assessed, and the amount of the tax or assess- ment thereon. ]Ss - e 77. If such tax or assessment, and the percentage, interest p. L'H. ancl expenses aforesaid be not paid previous to the day for which said sale was advertised, or on some day immediately thereafter, to which said sale may be adjourned, the collector of delinquent taxes shall proceed to make sale accordingly of the said several parcels of real estate, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to the highest bidder; and the sale may be ad- journed from day to day until it shall be completed. On such sale the collector of delinquent taxes shall execute to the pur- chaser a certificate of sale, in which the property purchased shall be described, and the aggregate amount of the tax or as- sessment, with charges and expenses specified; but the collector of delinquent taxes shall not for himself, either directly or indirectly, purchase any real estate so sold. 18S5-6. 78. If at any such sale no bid shall be made for any such par- p. 244. eel of land, or such bid shall not be equal to the tax or assess- ment, with interest and charges, then the same shall be struck off to the city. On such sale the collector of delinquent taxes shall execute to the city a certificate of sale, in which the prop- erty purchased shall be described, and the aggregate amount of tax or assessment, with charges and expenses specified, and shall deposit such certificate with the auditor. 79. The owner of any real estate so sold, his heirs or assigns, or any person having a right to charge such real estate for a debt, may redeem the same by paying to the purchaser, his heirs or assigns, within two years from the sale thereof, the amount for which the same was sold, and such additional taxes thereon as may have been paid by the purchaser, his heirs or assigns; or, if purchased by the city, with such additional sums as would have accrued for taxes thereon if the same had not been purchased for the city, with interest on the said purchase money and taxes at the rate of twelve per centum per annum from the time that the same may have been so paid; or the same may be paid within the said two years to the city treas- 29 urer in any case in which the purchaser, his heirs or assigns, may refuse to receive the same, or may not reside or cannot be found in the city of Richmond. 80. Any infant, married woman, insane person, or person im- prisoned, whose real estate may have been so sold, or his heirs, may redeem the same by paying to the purchaser, his heirs or assigns, within two years after the removal of the disability, the amount for which the same was so sold, with the neces- sary charges incurred by the purchaser, his heirs or assigns, in obtaining the title under the sale, and such additional taxes on the estate as may have been paid by the purchaser, his heirs or assigns, and the appraised value of any improvement that may have been made thereon, with interest on the said items, at the rate of twelve per centum per annum from the time the same may have been paid. Upon such payment within two years after the removal of such disability, the purchaser, his heirs or assigns, shall, at the cost of the original owner, his heirs or assigns, convey to him or them, by deed with special warranty, the real estate so sold. 81. The purchaser of any real estate, sold for taxes and not redeemed, shall, after the expiration of two years from the sale, obtain from the city auditor a deed conveying the same, wherein shall be set forth what appears in his office in relation to the sale. When the purchaser has assigned the benefit of his pur- chase, the deed may, with his assent, evidenced by his joining therein, or by a writing annexed thereto, be executed to his assignee. If the purchaser shall have died, his heirs or assigns may move the court of hustings of said city to order the auditor to execute a deed to such heirs or assigns. 82. When the purchaser of any real estate, sold for taxes, his heirs or assigns, shall have obtained a deed therefor, and within sixty days from the date of such deed shall have caused the same to be recorded, such estate shall stand vested in the grantee in such deed as was vested in the party assessed with the taxes (on account whereof the sale was made) at the com- mencement of the year for which the said taxes were assessed, notwithstanding any irregularity in the proceedings under which the said grantee claims title, unless such irregularity appear on the face of the proceedings. And if it be alleged that the taxes, for the non-payment of which sale was made, were not in ar- rear, the party making such allegation must establish the truth thereof by proving that the taxes were paid. 83. In case that any real estate, struck off to the city as here- inbefore provided, shall not be redeemed within the time speci- fied, the city auditor shall, within sixty days after the expira- tion of two years from the sale, cause to be recorded such certi- ficate of sale with his oath that the same has not been re- deemed, and thereupon the said corporation, or their assignees, shall acquire an absolute title to the same in fee. The said certificate may be acknowledged, proved, and recorded in the 30 same manner thai deeds are recorded, and the sakl certificate, or the record thereof, or a copy of said record, duly authenti- cated, shall in all courts and places be presumptive evidence of the facts therein stated, and of the regularity and correct- ness of such sale, and of all proceedings prior thereto. CHAPTER VI. POLICE A.Mi FIRE DEPARTMENTS. 1-70. 84. The police department of the city of Richmond shall be p. 455. under the general control and management of police eommis- 1876-7 sioners thereof, who shall consist of the mayor and six citizens, p. 21 1. of whom one shall reside in each ward; any four of whom shall constitute a quorum. The mayor shall be ex-officio president of the board, and shall preside at its meetings, and shall have a vote in case of tie. In his absence the other members may elect a president pro tempore. As the terms of the commis- 578- i. p. 363. Extra Session sioners shall expire the vacancies in the board thus created p. 376. shall be filled by election in the month of July of each year by 1R n 7 o the two branches of the city council in a joint session for a p ;,n. term of six years. But no person shall be elected who does not receive a majority in each branch of the council of all the mem- bers elected to such branch. The said board shall adopt rules and regulations for the government thereof; it may establish, promulgate, and enforce proper rules, regulations, and orders for the good government of the police force; and in any investi- gation pertaining to their duties, shall have power to send for persons and papers, by their president to administer oath; pro- vided, that said rules and regulations shall not in any way conflict with an ordinance of the city council. The members of the said board may be removed at any time by a vote of two-thirds of the city council elected, for good cause, upon proper charges and specifications made and proved. If any mem- ber shall resign, cease to be a voter, or a candidate for any office, federal, State, or municipal, there shall be at once a vacancy in said board, which shall be filled as aforesaid; and when any member of the police commissioners is named as an applicant or candidate, or as proper to be supported as a candidate for any office, or proper person to receive such office, the presi- dent shall, or any member of the said board may, notify him that his name is mentioned in connection with such office; and if said member does not, within ten days after the receipt of such notice file with the president of the board his statement in writing that he is neither candidate nor applicant for such office, that he will not serve, nor accept it if elected or appointed, the said board will declare his place vacant, which will be filled in the manner hereinbefore prescribed. When vacancies are filled for any cause other than expiration of term they shall be filled only by the council for the unexpired term. Isc; 1-70. p. 455. 31 85. The said commissioners, after taking the oath of office as , «-<, q such commissioners, shall meet at the office of the mayor, or p 354" other suitable place, at such time as may be expedient, and as they shall, from time to time, designate, and on special oc- casions as the mayor may, in writing, appoint. They shall per- form the duties of said office without any compensation, re- ward, or salary therefor from said city, except that nothing herein shall in any way conflict with the payment of the salary elsewhere provided to be paid to the said mayor for his ser- vices in his office, and except that the members of the board shall be exempt from all duties on juries. 86. The police force of the city shall be appointed by the board of police commissioners as vacancies occur, and as herein provided. The said force shall consist of a chief of police, sur- geon of police, and as many officers and privates as the city 1876- < council may by ordinance prescribe, except that the force, "' " >- officers and privates shall not be reduced below its present num- 1878-9. ber. The present police force shall hold their positions for the P- 364. terms for which they were appointed, and as the said terms 1887. shall expire, new appointments shall be made by the said board Extra of police commissioners. All new appointments, including the Session chief, shall be for three years. The pay of the police shall be P- < J// - fixed by the city council by ordinance. The chief of polioe shall be responsible for the discipline and efficiency of the police force. All orders shall pass through him, except so far as the rules, regulations, and orders of the board of police commis- sioners authorizes orders to be given direct to any subordinate on the police force. In addition to the power of dismissal vested in the chief, any member of the force, including the chief, may be removed, suspended, or fined by the board of police com- missioners upon proper cause shown, and in cases where a fine is imposed, may order the same to be deducted from his pay. The board of public interests shall remain as now constituted by ordinances of the said city, and the police commissioners ap- pointed by or elected under this act shall continue in office until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified. 87. In time of exigency said commissioners, or a majority of , n~o q them, or any one of them, if the others should be absent from ,-, 3(35" the city or unable to act, may appoint temporarily without authority from the city council a suitable number of additional policemen for such time as shall appear necessary, not, however, to extend beyond the next meeting of the city council. The maj-or may confer police powers upon the clerks of the markets and their deputies, keepers of parks and cemeteries and their subordinates, watchmen and custodians of the city reservoirs, and janitor or superintendent of the city hall and his subordi- nates, and such other officers or employees and their subordi- nates, of the city as shall have custody of any other piece or part of the city's property so as to authorize them to prevent any violation of any law or city ordinance, within or upon such 1891-2. p. 660. p. 482. 32 pieces or parts of the city property as may be under their charge or custody, and to prevent any injury or damage from being done to such pieces or parts of the city property; and the bailiff of the police court shall have police powers when acting under the orders of the police justice of the city. 1070.9 88. The mayor, at any time, upon charges being preferred or upon finding said chief or any other member of said police force guilty of misconduct, shall have power to suspend such member from service, until the board of commissioners shall convene and take action in the matter; provided, however, that such member shall not remain so suspended for a longer- period than thirty days without an opportunity of being heard in his defence; and upon hearing the proofs in the case, a majority of said commissioners may discharge, suspend, or fine, or restore such chief or member, in accordance with the decision of the majority of such board thereon; and the pay or salary of such member shall cease from the time of suspension to the time of restoration to service, unless otherwise ordered by said board of commissioners in their written decision, which shall be filed with the city clerk; and any violation of the rules, regulations, or orders of "the board, or orders of any superior, shall be good cause for dismissal, suspension, or fine. 1878-9. 89. The salary or pay of said chief and policemen shall be p. 3.66. determined by the city council, and the pay-roll and all bills of expense on account of the police department shall be audited and approved by the chairman of the committee on police be- fore payment. 1878-0. 90. The said chief of police, and every policeman duly ap- p. 366. pointed as aforesaid, shall have issued to him a warrant of ap- pointment, signed by the president of the board and counter- signed by the city clerk, stating the date of his appointment, which shall be his commission; and he shall take such oath as the city council may ordain, and subscribe the same in a book to be kept for that purpose by the said city clerk. 1878-9. 91. The said chief of police and policemen shall generally p. 366. have power to do whatever may be necessary to preserve the good order and peace of said city, and to secure its inhabitants from personal violence and their property from loss and injury. Such members of the said police force as the police commissioners may designate, shall, in criminal cases, have the same powers and duties, and be subject to the same penalties that are pre- scribed by law as to constables. All fees and allowances aris- ing from the exercise of such powers shall be collected by the chief of police, and held subject to the order of the board of police commissioners. 1891- 9 ^ (L That the jurisdiction and authority of the chief of p. 905. police of the city of Richmond and other officers and members of the said city police, and of the justices and other judicial officers of said city connected with the administration of its police, be, and the same is hereby, extended to and over the 33 grounds and the property of the Virginia State Agricultural and Mechanical Society, situated on the extension of Broad street of said city, and to and over the highways and grounds in • ' Henrico county adjacent thereto, not to exceed five hundred yards in any direction; and on the request or with the assent of said Virginia State Agricultural and Mechanical Society, its officers or agents, the said police and other authorities of said city shall have ana exercise the full and ilke powers in all re- spects in and over said extended district as they do now or may hereafter have and exercise within the corporate limits of said city. 92. The said board of commissioners may prescribe such uni- 1878-9 form and badges for the police force as they may deem proper, p. 366. and change the same after six months' notice, and direct in what manner they shall be armed. And if any person, other than a policeman, shall publicly wear such uniform and badges as may be prescribed as aforesaid, he may be subjected to such fine, not exceeding the sum of one hundred dollars, as the city council may advise. 93. Subdivision I. The fire and fire-alarm departments of the 1898-9. city of Richmond shall be under the direction and control of a /7 -P" , . (Repealec board composed of six citizens, voters in said city, of whom ' one shall reside m each ward; such board to be called the board 1887-8. of fire commissioners of the city of Richmond. As the terms P' of the commissioners shall expire the vacancies in the board 1897-8. thus created shall be filled by election in the month of July of P- 545. each year by the two branches of the city council in joint ses- sion for six years. But no person shall be elected who does not receive a majority in each branch of the council of all the members elected to such branch. All vacancies except those occurring from expiration of term shall be filled by the council for the unexpired term. II. The members of the first board of fire commissioners elected under this act shall hold their offices for one, two, three, four, five and six years respectively, from the first day of July, eighteen hundred and eighty-eight, and until their successors are elected and qualified in the month of July, eighteen hundred and eighty-nine, and in July in each succeeding year thereafter one member of said board of fire commissioners shall be elected in the same manner as above provided, to fill the vacancy which will then be caused by the expiration of the term of one member. All members thus elected to fill a vacancy caused by the expiration of the term of a member, shall be elected for a term of six years from the time of said expira- tion. The members of the board of fire commissioners shall not receive any compensation for their services as sucn. They may be removed from office by a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to the council for good cause shown; ana any member who shall during his term of office be nominated for any office elected by the people, and shall not decline the said nomina- 1897-8. 34 (ion ten days from the time he has notice thereof, shall be deemed ipso facto to have vacated his office. 111. The members of the board of fire commissioners shall meet on the second day of July, eighteen hundred and eighty- < Ight, al the headquarters of the fire department, or other suit- able place, and after taking the oath of office, proceed to orga- nize by electing one of their number president, and by electing a secretary. They shall then proceed to draw lots, and by num- bers, for the term of office that each shall serve — that is to say, the member drawing the lowest number shall serve one year; the one drawing next lowest number, two years; and so on until each member shall have designated his term by the number drawn by him. Four members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Each member of the board shall be entitled to one vote, and the board may deter- mine the manner in which any vote may be taken on any sub- ject brought before it. The said board shall have power to elect a president pro tempore, to serve in the absence, or in case of the temporary disability of the president. Subdivision IV. The force of the police department of the p. 545. city of Richmond shall be appointed by said board of fire com- missioners as herein provided. The said force shall consist of a chief engineer, one or more assistant engineers, and a secre- tary, and as many foremen, station-men, hose-men and ladder- men as from time to time may be required, in the opinion of the said board, except that the total number of the force shall not be increased, without the consent of the city council, above its present number. The chief engineer, assistant engineers, secre- tary and other members of the department shall be appointed for a period of three years. The said officers and members of the fire department may be removed by the said board for cause at any time, or such fines or suspensions may be imposed for cause, as the board may deem proper, as hereinafter provided. In any investigation pertaining to duties the board shall have power to send for persons and papers, and by their presiding officer administer an oath. The board of fire commissioners are hereby empowered to prescribe the duties of the chief engineer, assistant engineers, secretary, as well as of other mem- bers or employees of the fire department, assigning to them such duties in the department as the board shall deem proper. V. The board of fire commissioners shall have and exercise fully and exclusively all powers necessary for the government, management, maintenance, and direction of the fire and fire- alarm departments of the city, and the premises and property thereof. All real estate, fire apparatus, hose, implements, bells, and bell-towers, fire-telegraph, and all property of whatever nature in use by the firemen, or fire and fire-alarm departments of the city belonging to said city, shall be under the control of the fire commissioners, and for the use of said departments, but the said property shall remain the property of the city of 85 Richmond, subject to the public uses of said departments as aforesaid, and for the purposes provided by this act. The said board shall, subject to the other provisions of this act, have full power to provide supplies, horses, tools, implements, and appa- ratus of any and all kinds incident to or to be used in the con- trol, prevention, and extinguishment of fires, and for fire-tele- graph purposes; food and provender for horses of said depart- ments; and to buy, sell, construct, repair, and have the care of the same, and to take any and all such action in the premises as it may deem to be reasonable, necessary and proper. The said board may, with the approval of the city council, increase the number of companies in service as from time to time they may deem necessary. VI. The said board of fire commissioners shall have exclusive right and power, from time to time, to designate and fix the location of all fire-alarms telegraph, signal and alarm stations in the city, and shall have access to and the control of the same for the purposes of the departments. VII. The said board of fire commissioners shall, subject to the other provisions of this act, provide such offices and business accommodations as may be requisite for the transaction of the business of the departments. The board of fire commissioners may adopt a common seal and direct its use. VIII. The city attorney shall be the attorney for the board of fire commissioners, and shall perform such duties, connected with the departments under their control, as are prescribed herein, or as may be properly required of him by the board of fire commissioners. IX. It shall be the duty of said board of fire commissioners to make such suitable regulations for the government of the officers, men and property of the fire and fire-alarm departments of said city as it may deem necessary and proper for the con- trol and management of the same. X. No person holding office by appointment of the board of fire commissioners shall be liable to military or jury duty nor to arrest on civil process while in the actual performance of duty in answer to an alarm of fire. XI. Every member of the departments herein named shall take an oath for the faithful performance of his duties, and sub- scribe the same before a member of the board of fire commis- sioners. XII. The board shall have power, in its discretion, on convic- tion of a member of the force of any offence against its rules or neglect of duty, or neglect or disobedience of orders, or in- capacity or absence without leave, or immoral conduct, or con- duct unbecoming an officer, or other breach of discipline, to punish the offending party by reprimand, forfeiture, and with- holding of pay for a specific time, or by dismissal from the force. XIII. The said board shall fix the salaries and compensation of the officers and members of the fire department, but the 36 such Balaries and compensations shall not be re- duced below the sum appropriated by the city council annually for pay-rolls of the said departments at the date of the passage of this act, and they may be increased only by the city council after recommendation of the said board. XIV. The said board of fire commissioners shall appoint a superintendent of tire-alarms, and such other employees as the proper working of the fire-alarm department may require, and shall fix their compensation; such compensation to be not less than that paid such employees at the date of the passage of this act, and may be increased only by the council after recom- mendation of said board of fire commissioners. XV. It shall be the duty of the board of fire commissioners once in each year, and oftener if necessary, to submit to the city council, in writing, a classified estimate of what funds will be needed for the proper maintenance and growth of the fire and fire-alarm departments, and to request the council to make ap- propriations accordingly. It shall be the duty of the city coun- cil to appropriate annually, upon the recommendation of the board of fire commissioners, such sums of money as said council shall deem sufficient for the proper maintenance of both fire and fire-alarm departments, for pay-rolls, expense, equipment and construction; provided such appropriations shall not be re- duced below the sums appropriated to the said fire and fire-alarm departments for the fiscal year eighteen hundred and* eighty- seven-eighty-eight. The said board of fire commissioners are authorized and empowered to draw w r arrants on the auditor of the city to pay claims against said departments, said warrants to be signed by the president of the board or by a president pro tempore, to be appointed by the said board as hereinbefore pro- vided, after the same shall have been approved by the board in regular session. XVI. It is hereby declared to be unlawful for the board of fire commissioners, or any member thereof, to be personally interested in any contract, purchasers, or sales made for the department under their control; or in any way, directly or in- directly, to receive compensation or profit arising from the per- formance of the duties of their office, and any member of said board who shall be found guilty thereof shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or confinement in the city jail not exceeding six months. XVII. The said board shall keep, in a book to be prepared by them for the purpose, a detailed account of their expenditures, and shall report said expenditures to the city council at its first meeting in the months of January and July of each year, and they shall be at all times prepared to substantiate such ex- penditures by proper papers and vouchers. They shall also re- port to the city council at its first meeting in January in each year the condition of the departments under their control, with all information germain thereto and not prejudicial to the ser- vice. 37 XVIII. Nothing in this act shall be construed to interfere in any manner with any contract or agreement that may exist at the date of the passage of this act between the city of Rich- mond and any railway, telephone or telegraph company in refer- ence to the occupancy of the streets by telegraph or telephone wires. XIX. The tire and fire-alarm departments of the city of Richmond shall remain as at present organized, until July the second, eighteen hundred and eighty-eight, at which time the said board of fire commissioners shall proceed to organize the said departments as herein described, and to assume all the powers and duties conferred upon them by this act. XX. All acts or portions of acts in conflict with this act are hereby repealed. 94. For the purpose of guarding against the calamities of fire, 1891-2. the city council may, from time to time, designate such portions P- 6*30. and parts of the said city as it shall think proper within which no 1897-8. buildings of wood shall be erected. They may prohibit the erec- p. 545. tion of wooden buildings in any portion of the city without per- mission obtained from them. They may authorize the board of fire commissioners, and the chief of the fire department to per- mit the erection of wooden buildings in any portion of the city, except such as the council may have designated as portions within which no buildings of wood shall be erected: provided, however, that no building of wood or addition to such a build- ing shall be erected in any square of the city, when and after the owner or owners of at least one-fourth of the ground in- cluded therein shall have petitioned the council by a petition filed with the city clerk to prohibit the erection in the said square of buildings of wood unless the outer walls of the build- ing to be erected shall be made of brick and mortar, or stone and mortar or some other fire-proof material, and may provide for the removal of any such building or addition which shall be erected contrary to such prohibition, at the expense of the builder or owner thereof, and if any building shall have been been commenced before said petition can be acted on by the council, or if a building in progress appears clearly to be un- safe, the council may have such building taken down. For the purpose of guarding against fire and of insuring the erection of safe buildings, the council may pass any reasonable regulation as to the manner and materials of construction of all buildings. 95. Whenever any building in the said city shall be on fire, it shall be the duty of and be lawful for the chief engineer to order and direct such building, or any other building which he may deem hazardous and likely to communicate fire to other buildings, or any part of such buildings, to be pulled down and destroyed; and no action shall be maintained against any per- son or against the said city therefor. But any person interested in any such building so destroyed or injured, may, within three months thereafter, apply to the city council to assess and pay 3/06/3 38 the damages he has sustained. At the expiration of the three months, if any such application shall have been made in writ- ing, the ci(> council shall either pay the said claimant such sum as shall be agreed upon by them and the said claimant for such damages, or if no such agreement shall be effected, shall proceed to ascertain the amount of such damages, and shall provide for the. appraisal, assessment, collection, and payment of the same in the same manner as is provided for the ascertain- ment, assessment, collection, and payment of damages sustained by the taking of land for purposes of public improvement. 9G. The 'commissioners appointed to appraise and assess the damages incurred by the said claimant, by the pulling down or destruction of such building, or any part thereof, by the direc- tion of the said officers of the city, as above provided, shall take into account the probability of the same having been destroyed or injured by fire if it had not been so pulled down or de- stroyed, and may report that no damages should equitably be allowed to such claimant. Whenever a report shall be made and finally confirmed, in the said proceedings for appraising and assessing the damages, a compliance with the terms thereof by the city council shall be deemed a full satisfaction of all said damages of the said claimant. But any party feeling ag- grieved thereby, may appeal to the circuit court of the city of Richmond, which court, in taking jurisdiction thereof, shall be controlled by the laws regulating assessment of damages to real estate in other cases. CHAPTER VII. THE JUDICIARY. 97. There shall be elected by the qualified voters of said city, at the first charter election, and every six years thereafter, one clerk for the circuit court, one clerk for the hustings court, and one clerk for the chancery court of the city of Richmond, who shall serve for the period of six years, and until their suc- cessors be elected and qualify. They shall receive, in compen- sation for their services, the fees and emoluments allowed by law to clerks of the circuit courts. 98. There shall be elected at the first charter election, and every two years thereafter, by the qualified voters of said city, one Commonwealth's attorney for the circuit court, who shall also prosecute in all cases in the hustings court of the city of Richmond. He shall hold his office for a term of two years, and until his successor be elected and qualify, unless sooner removed, and shall receive such compensation for his services as may be prescribed by law. 99. There shall be elected at the first charter election, and every two years thereafter, by the qualified voters of said city, one sheriff of the city of Richmond, who shall, before entering 39 upon the duties of his office, give hond, with good security, in a penalty of not less than one hundred thousand dollars nor more than three hundred thousand dollars, as shall be required by the judge before whom he shall execute the same, whose powers and duties, liability, responsibility, emoluments, and term of office shall be, so far as not inconsistent with the pro- visions of this act, the same as now provided by law in respect to the sheriff of the city of Richmond. 100. There shall be elected at the first charter election, and 1897-8. every two years thereafter by the qualified voters of the said p. 546. city, one city sergeant, who shall serve for two years until his successor be elected and qualify, unless sooner removed. He shall keep his office in such a place as the city council may pro- vide and appoint, and shall receive such compensation for his services as the city council shall determine. He shall, as city jailor, pay the salaries of all the deputies or guards needed and appointed for the safe-keeping of the prisoners in the city jail, and the city shall nowise responsible be therefor, except guards appointed by the court when the same are necessary on ac- count of the insecurity of the jail. Before entering upon the duties of his office the said city sergeant shall give bond and security in such amount as the city council shall determine, which bond shall be approved by the said city council, entered on their records and filed in the office of the city clerk. 101. The said sergeant shall attend the terms of the court of hustings, and act as the officer thereof. He shall also in all respects, except as to the collection of taxes, have the same powers and authority, and shall perform the duties, and be subject to the same liabilities and penalties, and be proceeded against in the same manner as sheriffs. 102. There shall be elected by the qualified voters of the city 1874. of Richmond, at the first charter election, one high constable P- 2 ^ 2 - for said city, who shall hold his office for the term of two years, and until his successor be appointed and qualify, unless sooner removed from office. Said high constable shall keep his office in such convenient place in the city as may be designated by the city council, and shall' receive such compensation for his services as the said council shall determine. He shall in civil cases have the same powers and duties and be subject to the same penalties as prescribed by law to other constables, and shall perform such duties as the city council may ordain, not in conflict with the provisions of this act, the laws of this State, or the laws of the United States. 103. Before entering upon the duties of his office, the said high constable shall give bond and security, in such amount as shall be required by the city council, for the faithful dis- charge of the duties of his office; which bond shall be ap- proved by the said council, entered on their record, and filed in the office of the city clerk. Said high constable may appoint one or more deputies to attend to and execute the duties of 40 his office; but the sureties on the bond of the high constable shall be equally liable for the acts of the deputy or deputies as for those of their principal. 104. The sergeant of the city of Richmond shall be the officer of the hustings court, and the sheriff of the city of Richmond shall be the officer of the circuit court, and also of the chancery court. 1869-70. 105. There shall be appointed by the city council one police p. 4>t>. justice, who shall hold his office for the term of two years, and until his successor shall be elected and qualified, unless sooner removed from office. The police justice shall hold a court daily in said city (Sundays excepted), in such place as the city council may provide and appoint. The juris- diction of the court shall extend to all cases arising within the jurisdictional limits of the city, of which a justice of the peace may take cognizance under the laws of the State, and to all cases arising under the charter or ordinances of the city, or where there is a claim against the city or a person therein, if it does not exceed one hundred dollars, exclusive of interest; and the judgment shall be final in all civil cases where the matter in controversy, exclusive of costs, is not more than twenty dollars. He shall have such other powers and juris- diction as may be conferred upon him by the city council, not in conflict with the Constitution and laws of the United States and of the State of Virginia. The city council may provide for the appointment of such clerks and officers for said court of the police justice, and make such rules for the government of said court, as they may find proper. If any person who has been duly summoned as a witness to attend and give evidence before the police justice, touching any matter or thing pending before him under the charter or any ordinance of the city, shall fail to attend in obedience to said summons, he or she may be fined, at the discretion of the said justice, in a sum not exceeding twenty dollars. 1869-70. -^6. There shall be elected by the qualified voters of each p. 456. ward three justices of the peace for each ward of the said city, who shall be residents of their respective wards, and shall hold office for the term of two years, and until their successors be elected and qualify, unless sooner removed from office. They shall be designated by the city council as first, second, third, et cetera, justices. The said justices of the peace shall be con- servators of the peace within the limits of the corporation of Richmond, and shall have the same powers and duties within said limits as are provided by law in respect to justices of the peace in the counties of this State in their respective counties, except that nothing herein contained shall be construed as vest- ing in said justices any portion of the jurisdiction given by act to the police justice. Whenever the police justice shall be absent from the city, or unable, from any cause, to hold his court, the same shall be holden by a justice of the peace, to be 41 designated by the council. And when the said court sliall be holden by a justice of the peace six or more days in succession, he shall be entitled to receive therefor the same compensation, pro rata, ihat may be prescribed as salary to the police justice. 107. Any officer, who by the provisions of the charter of Rich- mond is required to be elected or appointed by the city council, shall be elected or appointed by the two branches in joint meet- ing. The president of the board of aldermen shall preside at such joint meeting, and each member of the two branches shall be entitled to one vote in all joint meetings of the two boards. 108. All ordinances, resolutions, and acts of the city council shall be signed by the president of each branch, and shall be presented to the mayor for his approval, who, if he objects thereto, shall, within five days after it shall have been presented to him for his. assent, return it to that branch of the city coun- cil in which it originated, with his objection in writing, and if a majority of the whole number of the members of each branch shall be of opinion that the ordinance, resolution, or act ought to be passed, it shall, notwithstanding the objections of the mayor, become a law. 109. The board of aldermen may appoint a clerk, who shall attend the meetings of said board, and keep a record of its pro- ceedings, and shall perform such other acts and duties as the said board may from time to time require of him. 110. All acts and parts of acts in conflict with this act are hereby repealed. 111. This act shall be force from its passage. BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND, AN ACT TO EXTEND AND DEFINE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND. (Approved February 13, 1867.) 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly, That the boundaries of the city of Richmond shall be extended and defined as follows: The said city of Richmond shall extend, on its southern boundary, to the line which now divides the counties of Henrico and Chesterfield, from a yoint in said dividing line, which will be struck by the extension of the western line of the city limits, across the river to said dividing line, to a point in said dividing line which will be struck by the extension of the eastern line of the city limits, across the river, to said dividing line; and shall include all the territory lying between the present southern limits of said city and the said dividing line, and between said western and eastern lines extended as aforesaid. 2. The other boundaries of said city shall be as follows: Be- ginning at a point in the line which divides the counties of Henrico and Chesterfield, which will be struck by the exten- sion southwardly of the western line of Hollywood Ceme- tery, and running thence northwardly to the southern line of Clark's spring property, now belonging to the city of Richmond; thence along said line and the extension of the same to a point one hundred and fifty feet west of the western line of Randolph street; thence northwardly and on a line parallel with said Randolph street, and one hundred and fifty feet from its western line to a point on said line, one hundred and fifty feet southward from the southern line of Dover street on the Plank road, to a point one hundred and fifty feet west of the western line of a street on which Mr. John Carter resides, which is proba- bly a continuation of Carter street; thence northwardly, cross- ing the Plank road, and on a line parallel with said Carter street, and one hundred and fifty feet westwardly from its western line, to the street or road which separates the farm of William C. Allen from the lands of the Richmond College, and continuing the same line through sundry lots and the lands of Nathaniel F. Bowe to the northern margin of Bacon branch, one of the branches of Shockoe creek; thence down the northern margin of Bacon branch by its meanders to the point where the present northern boundary of the city crosses the said branch, at or near the extended line of Seventh street, on the map of the city; 43 thence eastwardly with the present boundary line, passing the corner on said boundary, marked C on said map, to a point on the west side of the County road leading from Valley street in said city to Chelsea or Bowling Green; thence down the centre of said road southwardly to Seventeenth or Valley street; thence along said Seventeenth or Valley street southwardly to the County road leading from said Seventeenth or Valley street to Fairfield; thence up and along the centre of said road eastwardly to a point one hundred and fifty feet eastward of the east line of Gamble street, extended northwardly, as the said street is laid down on the plan of Brown, Page, and Gamble, commonly called McKenzie's Garden; thence southwardly and parallel with the said Gamble, Federal or Purcell streets one hundred and fifty feet eastward of the eastern lines of said streets, to a point in said line one hundred and fifty feet north of Venable street, as marked on Adam's plan; thence eastwardly and on a line one hundred and fifty feet northward of the north line of Venable street, and parallel therewith, to a point one hundred and fifty feet northward of the north line of Q street; thence along a line eastwardly and parallel with said Q street, and one hundred and fifty feet therefrom, to a point one hundred and fifty feet east- ward of Thirty-first street; thence southwardly and parallel with Thirty-first street, and one hundred and fifty feet therefrom, to a point one hundred and fifty feet north of the northern line of Marshall street on said plan; thence eastwardly and on a line one hundred and fifty feet northward of the north line of Marshall street, and parallel therewith, to a point on said line one hundred and fifty feet eastward of Thirty-fourth street; thence south- wardly on a line parallel with Thirty-fourth street, and one hun- dred and fifty feet therefrom, to a point in said line one hundred and fifty feet north of the northern line of Main street extended; thence eastwardly and on a line parallel with said Main street so extended, and one hundred and fifty feet therefrom, until the said line meets a point one hundred and fifty feet eastward of the eastern line of Fulton street, in the town of Fulton; thence along said line in a southwardly direction, and parallel with said Fulton street, until it strikes a point in said line one hundred and fifty feet southwardly of the south line of a street known as Orleans street; thence westwardly and on a line one hundred and fifty feet south of the southern line of said Orleans street, and one hundred and fifty feet therefrom to James river, and thence across said river, continuing the same course to the dividing line between the counties of Henrico and Chesterfield. 3. The inhabitants of the district of country lying between the present boundary of the city and the new boundary hereby established, shall not be liable, in their persons or property within the said district, for the period of five years from the pas- sage of this act, for any portion of the debt contracted by the city of Richmond prior to the commencement of this act, or of the interest due and accruing thereon. 44 l. All taxes levied and collected upon persons and property within the limits hereby added to the city of Rchmond, shall, for the period of three years from the passage of this act, be ap- plied to the Improvement, protection, and police of the district so annexed. 5. It shall be lawful for the sheriff or other collectors of the county of Henrico to collect and make distress for any public dues or officers' fees which shall remain unpaid by the inhabi- tants embraced within the limits of the extension of the corpora- tion of the city of Richmond, at the time when this act shall commence and be in force, and shall be accountable for the same in like manner as if this act had never been passed. 6. The county levy for the year eighteen hundred and sixty- seven shall be collected within the limits added to the city of Richmond by this bill, by the authorities of Henrico county, and no taxes shall be collected from the persons or property within said limits by the authorities of the city of Richmond for the year eighteen hundred and sixty-seven. 7. The council of the city of Richmond shall provide for the representation in the council of the city of Richmond of the in- habitants of the territory embraced in said extension. 8. This act shall be in force from and after the first day of July, eighteen hundred and sixty-seven. AN ACT TO EXTEND THE CORFOEATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND. (Approved February 19, 1892.) 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That the territory hereinafter mentioned shall constitute a portion of the city of Richmond, in addition to its present territory — to-wit: Beginning at a point where the north line of Bread-street road intersects with the present western boundary line of the city of Richmond; thence along the north line of said Broad-street road in a westwardly direction to the northwest intersection of said Broad-street road with the Boulevard; thence along the western line of the Boulevard to the southwest intersection of the Boule- vard with the Grove road; thence along the south line of the Grove road to its intersection with the present western boundary line of the city of Richmond; thence along the present western boundary line of the city of Richmond in a northwardly direc- tion to the point of beginning. 2. Said annexed territory shall be a part of the present Clay ward of the city of Richmond until otherwise ordered by said city. 3. The city council of said city may make such improvementr within said territory as it now has power as to the property within its present limits. But no improvement shall be made at 45 the expense of the abutting owners until after allegations shall have been heard. 4. Whenever a permanent improvement of a street or alley within said territory, such as opening, grading, guttering, flag- ging, curbing, or paving sidewalks and road-bed, shall be made, whether upon petition of abutting owners or without petition, the city engineer shall ascertain the total cost of such improve- ment for such street or alley, or so much thereof as may be im- proved. He shall then apportion the costs at so much per foot abutting upon the streets or alleys, or so much thereof as may be improved, dividing and apportioning the costs among the owners of the abutting lots, and certify the amount thereof in each case, of all the property owners, to the special assessment clerk, who shall make out bills for the same and furnish them to the city auditor, who shall make proper entry thereof on his books, and then place them in the hands of the city collector to be collected and accounted for in the manner prescribed for the collection of city taxes, and said assessments shall be a lien on said lots until paid; provided, however, that as to any improve- ment made in Broad-street road, Boulevard, and Grove road the abutting owners of property within said annexed district shall be charged with the entire cost of improving the sidewalk on which they abut, including guttering, curbing, and flagging, and one-half of the cost of improving the roadway. 5. Repairs and renewals of streets or alleys shall be paid for in such manner as the city may from time to time prescribe as to streets and alleys, respectively, within her present limits. 6. It shall be lawful for the sheriff, or any other collectors of the county of Henrico, to collect and make distress for any pub- lic dues or officers' fees which shall remain unpaid by the in- habitants embraced within said annexed territory at the time when this act shall commence and be in force, and shall be ac- countable for the same in like manner as if this act had never been passed. 7. The taxes for the year eighteen hundred and ninety-two from the person or property within said annexed territory shall be due to and collected by the city of Richmond. 8. All acts and parts of acts in conflict with this act are hereby repealed. 9. This act shall be in force from the date of its passage. ERRATA. Board of Public Interest 24 " 25 - Public Interest (Board of) 24 ' 25 - ihstidieix: PAGE ACCOUNTS, to be kept by auditor 16 ADMINISTRATION AND GOVERNMENT of city vested in. mayor. city council, &c 2 AID, to what societies and associations council may grant 10 AGRICULTURE, council may grant aid to societies for advance- ment of 10 ALMSHOUSE, power of council as to poor of city 8 its agents to have powers, &c, of overseers of poor 8 ANIMALS, to prevent running at large 11 to punish abuse of 11 ANNUAL REPORTS, to be made by auditor 17 to be made by city treasurer 19 APPRENTICE, penalty on to be recovered of master 12 APPROPRIATIONS, what must have two-thirds vote, &c 7 what must have three-fourths vote, &c 25 ARDENT SPIRITS, to be gauged 10 ATTORNEY. (See City Attorney.) ATTORNEY FOR THE COMMONWEALTH, officer required by charter for the circuit court, and to prosecute in the hustings 38 AUDITOR, officer required by charter 15 term of office, &c 16 what books he shall keep 16 duties, powers, &c 16-17 BEG GARS, to restrain and punish 12 BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES, council may aid 10 BILLIARD SALOONS, council may license 27 BOARD OP ALDERMEN, a branch of city council 3-4 may elect clerk of 41 election, residence, age, terms and classification of its members.. 6 how vacancy in board filled 6 president; meetings, how called; rules; when two-thirds vote required 6 BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS, how created, its duties, etc 32-6 BOARD OF HEALTH, appointment and organization of 10 BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS, police appointments to be under its control 30-33 its composition, powers, and duties 30-33 BONDS, of city officers; liabilities of parties to 15 of auditor 16 of high-constable 39 of treasurer 18 IIsTIDEX:. PAGE ACCOUNTS, to be kept by auditor 16 ADMINISTRATION AND GOVERNMENT of city vested in mayor. city council, &c 2 AID, to what societies and associations council may grant 10 AGRICULTURE, council may grant aid to societies for advance- ment of 10 ALMSHOUSE, power of council as to poor of city 8 its agents to have powers, &c, of overseers of poor 8 ANIMALS, to prevent running at large 11 to punish abuse of 11 ANNUAL REPORTS, to be made by auditor 17 to be made by city treasurer 19 APPRENTICE, penalty on to be recovered of master 12 APPROPRIATIONS, what must have two-thirds vote, &c 7 what must have three-fourths vote, &c 25 ARDENT SPIRITS, to be gauged 10 ATTORNEY. (See City Attorney.) ATTORNEY FOR THE COMMONWEALTH, officer required by charter for the circuit court, and to prosecute in the hustings 38 AUDITOR, officer required by charter 15 term of office, &c 16 what books he shall keep 16 duties, powers, &c 16-17 BEGGARS, to restrain and punish 12 BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES, council may aid 10 BILLIARD SALOONS, council may license 27 BOARD OF ALDERMEN, a branch of city council 3-4 may elect clerk of 41 election, residence, age, terms and classification of its members.. 6 how vacancy in board filled 6 president; meetings, how called; rules; when two-thirds vote required 6 BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS, how created, its duties, etc 32-6 BOARD OF HEALTH, appointment and organization of 10 BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS, police appointments to be under its control 30-33 its composition, powers, and duties 30-33 BONDS, of city officers; liabilities of parties to 15 of auditor 16 of high-constable 39 of treasurer 18 xhiii INDEX. PAGS tor of cit; l!i ot sergeant 39 of sheriff 38 BONFIRES (in streets), to restrain 11 BOUNDARIES OF CITY, defined 42-45 BOULEVARD 14 BOWLING ALLEYS, council may license 27 BOYS, fines for selling intoxicating drinks to 12 parent or guardian liable for offence of 12 BRIDGES, council may build, &c, in streets 9 Broad street road 14 BUILDINGS, council may control erection of wooden 37 may regulate construction of all buildings 37 to be destroyed by chief engineer when danger of spreading fire: how appraised 37-38 BURIAL GROUNDS, power of council to regulate . 10 BURNING FLUID, council may regulate sale and use of 11 CAMPHEXE, to regulate sale and use of 11 CANDLES, council may forbid use of in barns and stables 11 CAPTAINS OF VESSELS may be required to return vagrants and dan- gerous persons brought to city 12 CARRIAGES, CARTS, &c, FOR HIRE, council may license 27 CEMETERIES, power of council to provide and regulate 12 CHANCERY COURT, sheriff of Richmond, the officer of 40 CHIEF OF POLICE, appointment, powers, duties, &c 31 CIRCUIT COURT, to have jurisdiction in enforcing terms of bonds of city officers 15 clerk of, how 7 elected 38 sheriff to be officer of 40 CITIZENS' VOTE, in reference to certain appropriations - 25 CITY ATTORNEY, officer required by charter 15 appointment, term, duties, &c 22-23 CITY BONDS, exempt from taxation 26 CITY CLERK, office required by charter 15 certificates of oaths of office filed with him 4 to notify vacating officers, to deliver books, &c 15 appointment, term and duties 24 CITY COUNCIL, to provide representation in its body for district added by act of 1867 44 to be divided into two branches; terms of members of each. 3 vacancies, how filled 6 president and president pro tempore, duties, meetings of bodies, rules, officers, journal, quorum 6-7 what ordinances not to be passed by council same day 7 may contract loans 25 general powers as to markets, workhouses and house of correction; powers as to specific subjects 8-9 may raise money by taxation 25 may issue certificates of debt, contract loans, &c ' 25 may build railroad along James River canal to Clifton Forge 25 INDEX. xlix PAGE CITY DEBT, limit of 25 sinking fund; how provided; to be applied to principal of city- debt 26 inhabitants of new district not liable for city debt for five years. . 43 how loans contracted and bonds issued 25 CITY OFFICERS, vacation of office by; to deliver books and papers to successors 15 salaries of 15 other officers may be appointed by council 15 CITY PRISON, powers of council as to 8 CITY SERGEANT, how elected, term, bond, powers, and duties 39 CLERKS OF COURTS, election, compensation and term 38 COAL AND COKE, council may regulate transportation of 11 COLLECTOR OF CITY TAXES, office required by charter 15 his election, term, bond, power and duties 20 council may vest him with powers of collector of State taxes 27 he shall publish sale of real estate for taxes 28 what may be distrained for taxes 27 mode of proceeding against collector for failure to perform his duties 27 power to collect water and gas bills 27 mortgage, &c, of goods not to prevent distress 27 COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL, council may regulate sale and use of 11 COMMISSION MERCHANTS, council may license 10 COMMISSIONER OF THE REVENUE, office required by charter 15 his election, term, powers, duties, &c 21 COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY, required by charter 38 COMMON COUNCIL, a branch of city council 3 city clerk to attend its meetings 24 CONSTABLE, powers of, may be given what members of police force.. 32 CORPORATE NAME OF CITY 3 CULVERTS, engineer to be superintendent of , 23 DEBT OF CITY (see City Debt), when city may endorse bonds of inter- nal improvement company 25 DEED, to purchaser of land sold for taxes 29 to be recorded 29 DEEDS, auditor to have charge of 16 DISABILITY, rights of persons under disability to redeem land sold for taxes ; how saved 29 DISEASES, power of council as to infections, &c 10 DISORDERLY ASSEMBLAGES, to prevent 12 DISORDERLY CONDUCT, power to prevent and punish 12 DISTRESS FOR TAXES, all goods subject to; trust or mortgage no bar. 27 DISTURBANCES, to prevent 12 DOCKET, to be kept by city attorney 23 DOCKS, power of council as to 8-9 DOGS, to prevent running at large 11 DRAWINGS, to be made by city engineer 23 DRAYS, power of council as to licenses 27 DRUNKARDS, to restrain and punish 12 1 1NDKX. PAGE ELECTIONS, special; how ordered 4 time of charter elections 4 to supply vacancies 4 by council to fill vacancies 15 of city officers 39 lal, through whom ordered, by council and how held 4 of mayor, for what term 5 of members of city council 6 to supply vacancy in council 6 of auditor 15 of treasurer 18 of collector of city taxes 19 of commissioner of revenue 21 clerks of circuit, hustings and chancery courts 38 commonwealth's attorney for circuit and hustings court 38 sheriff , 38 sergeant 39 high-constable 39 justices of peace 40 EMPLOYMENT of persons in jail 8 ENCROACHMENT on streets 13 ENGINEER OF CITY, office required by charter 28 appointment; term, bond, and duties 23 EVIDENCE, use of ordinances 13 EXHIBITIONS, power to prevent lewd exhibitions in city 12 EXPENSES OF CITY GOVERNMENT, how funds raised for 26 FAIRS, council may aid 10 FARMERS, may send hay, &c, to city not taxed 10 FAST RIDING OR DRIVING, council may prevent 11 FILTH, power to prevent accumulation of 11 FINES AND PENALTIES, limit of penalty to be imposed by council.. 12 penalty imposed on minor, recovered of parent or guardian; on apprentice of master or mistress 12 what publication required of ordinance imposing penalty 13 forfeiture if vacating officer fail to deliver in time books, papers, &c, of the office 15 for not removing fence, &c, encroaching on street when ordered by council 13 FIREARMS, to regulate discharge of 11 FIRE-CRACKERS, to regulate sale of 11 FIRE COMMISSIONERS 33-6 FIRE AND FIRE-ALARM DEPARTMENT, power of council to organ- ize, &c 33 FIRE-WORKS, regulations concerning 11 FORFEITURE OF OFFICE, by neglect to qualify 4 FORAGE, may provide for weighing long forage 10 FREEHOLDERS, vote required of in certain cases 25 GAMING HOUSES, power to suppress 12 GAS, council may vest in collector power to collect for 19-27 INDEX. li PAGE GAS-WORKS, power of council as to 9 GOOD ORDER, council to preserve 2 GRAIN, council may provide for measuring 10 GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS, council may erect, regulate, &c 9 buildings, parks, and squares 9 Grove avenue 14 GUNPOWDER, power to regulate storing of 11 HACKS, council may grant licenses 27 HAWKERS AND PEDDLERS, council may license 27 HAY, as to weighing of, &c 10 HEALTH, power of council as to board of 10 to establish quarantine 11 HENRICO COUNTY, liabilities of inhabitants as to certain city taxes.. 44 HIGH-CONSTABLE, election, term, compensation, powers, and duties.. 39 HOGS, to prevent running at large, &c, being kept in city 11 HORSES, to prevent riding or driving at improper speed 11 HOSPITAL, power of council to establish and move patients to 10 HOUSES OF CORRECTION, may be provided by council 8 HOUSES OF ILL FAME, power to suppress 12 HUSTINGS COURT, clerk of, how elected 38 sergeant to be officer of 39 commonwealth's attorney to practice in ' 38 ILL FAME, power- of council to suppress houses of 12 IMMORALITY, power of council to prevent 12 IMPRISONMENT, power of council as to 12 INDECENT CONDUCT, power to prevent 12 INFANTS AND INSANE PERSONS, how may redeem land sold for taxes 29 INSURANCE COMPANIES, council may license 27 INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS, three-fourths vote of citizens necessary for certain appropriations 25 JAIL. (See City Prison). JAMES RIVER AND KANAWHA COMPANY, council may purchase franchises of 25 JOINT MEETINGS OF COUNCIL, officers to be chosen in such meetings 41 JUDGES OF COURTS to issue writs of election to municipal office 4 JUSTICES OF THE PEACE, their election, designation, &c 40 KEROSENE OIL, council to regulate sale and use of 11 KITES, to prevent the flying of 11 LANDINGS, WHARVES, &c, power of council relative to 8 LEVYING TAXES, as to district added in 1867 44 LEWD EXHIBITIONS, power to prevent 12 LIBRARIES, council may aid 10 LICENSES, power to issue or refuse 27 LIGHTS, use of in barns, stables, &c 11 LITERARY SOCIETIES, council may aid 10 LIQUORS, license to sell 27 MARKETS, council may establish, &c 8 MARRIED WOMEN, right to redeem land sold for taxes 29 lii INDKX. p Las mayor, office created by charter; head of government 3 how elected; powers and duties 5 communication to city council; vacancies, how filled 5-6 duty as to ordinances and joint resolutions 41 who shall act as mayor, &c, in his absence 6 may suspend member of police force 32 to be president of board of police commissioners, &c 30 powers over subordinate officers 5 MEASURING, council may provide for grain, &c 10 MECHANIC ARTS, council may grant aid for advancement of 10 MENDICANTS, to restrain 12 MERCHANTS, sealing weights and measures 12 MILITARY COMPANIES, council may grant aid to 10 MINORS, council may impose fines for selling liquor to 12 MOLASSES, council may require to be gauged and inspected 10 NEWSPAPERS, commissioner's schedule to be published in 22 NITRO-GLYCERINE, council may regulate sale and use of 11 NUISANCES, power to abate; assessments for removal of power of council as to stagnant water 11 OATHS OF OFFICE, of mayor and members of council; neglect to take, &c 4 OFFICERS, required by charter 15 additional officers and clerks 15 OIL, council may require inspected and gauged 10 ORDINANCES, &c, how passed, signed, &c 41 what requires two-thirds vote 7 what must not be passed same day by both branches 7 penalty-ordinances to be published 13 use of in evidence 13 OVERSEERS OF POOR, powers of officers managing poor of city S PARKS (see Grounds and Buildings). PEDDLERS, council may license 27 PENALTIES, power of council as to 12 PJSTOL GALLERIES, council may license 27 PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS, to be made by city engineer 23 POLICE DEPARTMENT, controlled by board of commissioners 31 how composed 30 powers and duties of 30-31 classification and grading of men of force 30 authority of chief of police 31 additional policemen 31 suspension of officers and men by mayor 32 pay and duties of officers and men 32 uniform and badges for the force 33 POLICE JUSTICE, appointment, term, powers and duties 40 POOR, council may provide for, &c 8 PORT- WARDENS, power of council for appointment of 9 POWDER. (See Powder Magazines). POWDER MAGAZINES, council may regulate location of 11 index. liii PAGE PRESIDENT OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN, powers, &c, in absence of mayor 5 election, &c 6 to preside in joint meeting of the two branches 41 PRESIDENT OF CITY COUNCIL. (See President of Board of Alder- men). PRESIDENT OF COMMON COUNCIL, powers, duties, &c 6 PRISON council may erect a 8 PRIVATE PROPERTY; how taken for streets, &c 13 PUBLIC BUILDINGS, engineer to be superintendent of 23 council may erect, &c 8 PUBLICATION, of penal ordinances 13 by commissioner of revenue of his schedule 22 PUBLIC FREE SCHOOLS, council may aid 10 PUBLIC LIBRARIES. (See Libraries). PUBLIC PEACE, council to preserve 12 PUBLIC SQUARES, power of council as to 8 QUARANTINE, power to establish • 11 RAILROAD, council may build along line of James River canal to Clifton Forge 25 council may authorize laying down of tracks 9 power of council as to railroad in city 9 requirements as to vagrants and thieves brought to city 12 REAL ESTATE, lien on for taxes 27 to be sold for non-payment of taxes 28 when city may become purchaser 28 REDEMPTION of land sold for taxes 28 REFORMATION, council may provide houses of 8 REMOVAL of officers by city council 15 RESOLUTIONS, how signed, &c 41 RIOTS, council may prevent and quell 12 SALARIES, to be fixed by council or act of assembly 15 SALE OF LAND for taxes 27-28 SALE OF BARTER, council may provide for certain articles 10 SAMPLE MERCHANTS, council may license 27 SCHOOLS, council may aid public 10 SEAL OF CITY, treasurer to be keeper 18 SERGEANT OF CITY, election, term, compensation and bond 34 to have same powers of sheriff, except as to collection of taxes. ... 39 to be officer of the hustings court 40 SEWERS, CULVERTS, &c, council may construct under streets 9 SHERIFF, how elected, term, &c 38 SHOWS, EXHIBITIONS, &c, council may license, &c 27 SINKING FUND, how to be created, &c 20 SLAUGHTER-HOUSES, council may prevent or regulate 11 SOAP AND CANDLE FACTORIES, council may prevent or regulate.. 11 SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS, council may require to be gauged and in- spected 10 may license sale of 27 liv INPKX. PAGE may forbid Bales to Children and young persons 12 may require additional taxes on 27 SPORTS, dangerous to passengers; council may prevent 11 SQU IRES (PUBLIC), council may lay out, ornament, &c 8 STAGNANT WATER, as to abatement of 11 STI ».\ ES, throwing of 11 STREET RA1 LKOAD, power of council relative to 9 STREETS, power of council as to 9 work on not to be stopped by injunction 9 council may prevent cumbering of 9 as to railway tracks through 9 as to encroachments on 12 what use make streets public, &c 14 how new streets and improvements paid for 14 superintendent of 23 to restrain bonfires in 11 obstruction of by persons engaged in sports 11 private property,' how taken for 13 SURVEYS, to be made by city engineer 23 SUSPENSIONS AND REMOVALS BY MAYOR 5 TAXES, as to improvement of district added by act of 1867 44 taxes then levied and unpaid collected for county 44 other charter provisions as to 20, 22, 26, 29 real estate to be sold for payment of 28 goods and chattels liable for 27 TEN-PIN ALLEYS, council may license 27 TENANT, when to be credited on rent for taxes paid 27 TERRITORY OF CITY 42-45 THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES, council may license 27 THREE-FOURTHS VOTE OF CITIZENS as to appropriations by council for internal improvements 25 THROWNG STONES, council may prevent 11 TIRES, council may regulate breadth of 9 TREASURER, office required by charter 15 his election, term, bond, powers and duties 18-19 UNHEALTHY BUSINESS, power to prevent or regulate 11 UNWHOLESOME SUBSTANCES, power to remove and destroy 11 VACANCIES, how filled 4 VACATION OF OFFICE, requirements of officers as to 15 VAGRANTS, &c, power of council as to 12 VETO-POWER, how exercised by mayor 41 VICE AND IMMORALITY, power to prevent and punish 12 VINEGAR, council may require to be gauged 10 VIRGINIA STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY 33 VOTE OF CITIZENS, three-fourths, and majority of freeholders required in certain cases 25 WAGONS, DRAYS, CARTS AND HACKS to be licensed 27 council may prescribe breadth of tires 9 WARDS OF CITY, division into required by charter 3 to contain equal numbers of voters, &c 4 INDEX. lv WATER-WORKS, powers of council relative to 8 as to pollution of water 8 council may vest in collector power to collect water-rent 27 WEIGHING LONG FORAGE, council may provide for 10 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES to be sealed 10 WHARVES, powers of council as to 8 WINE, &c, council may license sale of 27 WIPE'S PROPERTY, redemption of land sold for taxes; how saved... 29 WOODEN BUILDINGS, council may control erection of 37 WORKHOUSES, council may establish 8 YEAS AND NAYS, requirements of charter as to council 7 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below Form L-9-15m-7,'32 Richmond, Va. JS * 5 ^ Char 4@g4 1898 The c harter of the city of Richmond^ AA 001 176 392 UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNL